キャプテン

From English "captain." In Japanese, キャプテン is used almost exclusively for sports team leaders, not for ship or military captains.

Usage by context

• Sports: キャプテン (team captain)
• Ships: 船長(せんちょう)
• Aircraft: 機長(きちょう)
• Military: 大尉(たいい) (army captain rank)

Common patterns

• キャプテンを務(つと)める: to serve as captain
• キャプテンに選(えら)ばれる: to be chosen as captain
• 副(ふく)キャプテン: vice captain

The word is sometimes shortened to キャプ in casual speech among teammates. In school sports, 部長(ぶちょう) (club leader) may be used instead of キャプテン depending on the sport and school.